Apricot tree named &#39;APRICANDY&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of apricot tree, denominated ‘APRICANDY’, characterized by its self-fertility and none susceptibility to pests and diseases and by fruits of very good firmness, of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with an orange flesh, of high eating quality, aromatic and with a high level of sugar, and with an attractive luminous purple red skin on an orange background.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2016/2949 filed on Nov. 25, 2016, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus armeniaca L.

Variety denomination: ‘APRICANDY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricottree, Prunus armeniaca L., which has been given the variety denomination‘APRICANDY’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life withoutalteration after harvesting, very good eating quality, and orange fleshfruit for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement,France.

Contrast is made to ‘APRINEW’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,630), an apricottree, for reliable description.

‘APRICANDY’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that ithas very attractive fruits with long shelf life without alteration afterharvesting. This new variety results from our plant-breeding programaimed at obtaining self-pollinating apricot trees producing fruits ofsweet and very aromatic taste, with an attractive orange skin covered byan appealing purple red blush. One of our main concerns is also theproduction of new varieties producing fruits having a long shelf lifeafter harvesting, in order to facilitate long distance shipping. Ourfinal purpose is the production of a range of new apricot tree varietiesdiffering by their time of maturity, while producing fruits of verysimilar characteristics, in order to provide markets with almostindistinguishable fruits during the whole period of production ofapricot.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘APRICANDY’ apricot tree originated in a cultivated area of thesouth of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it wastested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘APRICANDY’ variety resulted from a controlled cross between the‘ASFCOT0201’(U.S. Plant Pat. No 24,093) which was used as the seedparent and the ‘SELECTION ASF0408’ (not patented) which was used as thepollen parent.

The ‘APRICANDY’ variety was propagated by grafting on a ‘FRANC INRA®MONTCLAR’ (non patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to haveunique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercialfresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standardrootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexuallypropagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Regalines, Route d′Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of apricot tree blooms generally at the endof March in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Moreparticularly, the blooming period generally starts March 21^(st).However, it was observed that its early date of blooming seems to behighly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘APRICANDY’ apricot tree ripens early or mid-July,generally about 5 to 7 days later than the similar apricot variety named‘APRINEW’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,630). However, it was observed thatits early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climaticconditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a view of an apricot tree ofthe new variety in orchard, bearing fruits;

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows a closest view of a currentseason shoot of the new variety in orchard;

FIG. 3 is a color photograph, which shows a closest view of branches ofthe new variety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers ofthe new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of thenew variety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph, which shows three whole fruits and leavesof the new variety, and a fourth fruit, cut in half, with the stone leftin one of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh the stone and thestone cavity of the new variety, as well as the leaves of the variety.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing a close view of typical specimensof the new variety ‘APRICANDY’ at ripening time.

FIG. 7 is a color photograph showing different view of two whole stonesof the new variety, and a third stone cut in half for depicting thekernel of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘APRICANDY’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and medium stature in a naturally semi-uprightout aspect. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium;flowering begins at the end of the month of March. The flower petals aremedium and colored in white or in an extremely pale pink. Leaf glandsare present and round. Time of maturity for consumption is consideredmedium, namely at the beginning of July or mid-July. The fruit flesh isconsidered orange. The fruit skin is medium thick and colored with apurple red blush on an orange background. The stone is medium size.Fruit taste is very aromatic and with a high level of sugar.

Compared to ‘APRINEW’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,630) apricot tree,‘APRICANDY’ variety ripens approximately 5 to 7 days later, as set forthabove. On the contrary, ‘APRICANDY’ variety has an earlier bloomingtime, compared to ‘APRINEW’.

Moreover, the ‘APRICANDY’ variety produces very attractive fruits, witha purple red blush covering between 80 and 85% of the fruit skin, on anorange background. In comparison, ‘APRINEW’ apricot tree produces fruitswith a blush covering 25 to 50% of the skin, on an orange background.

The fruit flesh of ‘APRICANDY’ has a very good taste, very sugary,between 18 and 25 brix, very aromatic, and consequently more sugary. Incomparison, the fruits of the ‘APRINEW’ variety have a good taste,sugary, with between 16 and 18 brix and aromatic, so the taste is lesssugary than the taste of the ‘APRICANDY’ fruits.

Compared to its seed parent ‘ASFCOT0201’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,093),‘APRICANDY’ is a self pollinating variety, so ‘APRICANDY’ does notrequire any pollinator. On the contrary, ‘ASFCOT0201’(U.S. Plant Pat. No24,093) need to be pollinated by other varieties in order to get yearlyproduction.

Moreover, compared to its seed parent ‘ASFCOT0201’(U.S. Plant Pat. No24,093) the ‘APRICANDY’ variety ripens approximately 5 to 9 days laterand, ‘ASFCOT0201’ variety has an earlier blooming time, compared to‘APRICANDY’.

Compared to its pollen parent ‘ASF0408’, both are self-pollinatingvarieties. However, ‘ASF0408’ variety ripens approximately 10 daysbefore ‘APRICANDY’ variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of apricot tree, the following was observed on treesduring the 2014, 2015 and 2017 growing seasons under the ecologicalconditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne,Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been doneon rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘FRANC INRA® MONTCLAR’ (nonpatented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference toThe R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The RoyalHorticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—        -   Generally.—Considered medium as compared to other common            commercial apricot cultivars. Trees reach about 250 cm            during the first growing season. Trees were pruned during            each following season to a height of approximately 250 cm            and to a diameter of 200 cm.        -   Spread.—Approximately 200 cm. The whole orchard was oriented            to a central leader organization, with tree lines spaced of            4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same tree            line.        -   Vigor.—Considered medium vigorous. Current season shoots            growth could reach 100 cm. During the first year of growth,            trees growth reaches 250 cm. In the second and following            seasons, the size of trees is reduced to 250 cm by pruning.            However, these characteristics are dependant on soils            fertility, cultural practices, and prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Productivity.—The productivity is considered good to very            good, and regular. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to            develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized            fruit. Because of the fruit size, the new variety only            requires a medium thinning for the tree valorisation.            Thinning was necessary every year during the years of            observation. The number of the fruit set varies with the            prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. No alternate bearing was observed.        -   Form.—The ‘APRICANDY’ variety has a naturally semi-spreading            shape.        -   Density.—Considered highly dense, in order to obtain and            observe fruits more quickly.        -   Fertility.—The ‘APRICANDY’ variety is considered            autofertile. A genetic analysis has been done during year            2015 in order to confirm the autofertile characteristic of            ‘APRICANDY’ variety. The alleles of ‘APRICANDY’ variety are            S1 and S5.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. The tree            also seems to have a good resistance to frosty springtime            weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 7.5 centimeters to 8.0 centimeters            in diameter when measured at a distance of approximately            20.0 centimeters above the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered rough with lenticels.        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has mostly a grey to a brown color            (RHS Grey 201 A to RHS Grey 201 B to RHS Brown 200 B).        -   Lenticels.—        -   Lenticel color.—A beige color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 D).        -   Density.—The number of lenticels is approximately 2            lenticels per cm².        -   Size.—Lenticels are approximately 1.7 to 2.0 millimeters in            width and 3.2 to 5.0 millimeters long.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—The branches are pruned every year to approximately            1.0 meter in length.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other apricot varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter of about 4.0 to            6.0 millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of            about 8.5 to 10.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Current season shoots have a smooth            texture. Mature branches are medium rough. Roughness            increases with trees age. Wood which is several years old            has furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—The crotch angles are generally 45 degrees            from the trunk axis, for current season shoots. At maturity,            the crotch angle increases with fruits weight, until 60            degrees. This particular characteristic is not considered            distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Current season shoots.—        -   Internode length.—Generally 12.0 millimeters.        -   Color of current season's shoots.—Considered orange brown            (RHS Greyed Orange 175 A) on lower part of new shoot tips,            whereas the upper part is darker and colored in brown-purple            (RHS Greyed Purple 185 A). The current season's shoots color            evolves and turns to mature branches color when aging.        -   Mature branches.—        -   Internode length.—Generally 18.0 millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 A).        -   Vigor.—Considered spread as for all the apricot varieties.        -   Lenticels.—        -   Density.—Lenticels are present, just as on the trunk,            especially on mature branches. More particularly, 2            lenticels appear per cm² on mature branches.        -   Size.—Considered small, and slightly smaller than trunk's            lenticels, they are approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters            wide and 1.2 to 1.6 millimeters long.        -   Color.—Considered beige color (RHS Greyed Yellow 162 C or            RHS Greyed Yellow 162 D).        -   Form.—Stretched.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species.        -   Leaf length.—The leave's length is between 104.0 and 123.0            millimeters with leaf petiole.        -   Leaf width.—The leave's width is between 70.0 and 87.0            millimeters.        -   Leaf form in cross section.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Almost circular.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf base form.—Generally truncate.        -   Leaf margins.—Considered dentate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Upper surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Lower surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Leaf color.—        -   Upper leaf surface.—The color of the upper leaf surface is            green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A or RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—A lighter green than the upper leaf surface            color. The lower surface of leaves is RHS Yellow Green 146 A            or RHS Yellow Green 147 B.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—        -   Thickness.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters when            measured at the base of the leaf.        -   Color.—Red purple (RHS Red Purple Group 59 B).        -   Other veins color.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green N 144 A or            RHS Green Group 143 B).        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are of medium size and generally found            alone. No stipules are generally found.        -   Leaf petioles.—        -   Size.—Generally long.        -   Length.—The leaf petiole length is between 30.0 and 46.0            millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately between 1.5 millimeters to 2.0            millimeters.        -   Surface.—Smooth to slightly ribbed.        -   Petioles colour.—        -   Upper petiole surface.—Depending on climatic conditions and            sunlight exposure, the anthocyanic coloration on petiole's            upper surface is generally considered red (RHS Red Group            53 B) to purple red (RHS Red Purple 59 B or RHS Greyed            Purple 183 A).        -   Lower petiole surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).        -   Leaf glands.—        -   Size.—Considered small.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.5 millimeter to 1.5 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.5 millimeter to 1.5 millimeters.        -   Number.—Between 2 and 3 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Circular.        -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.        -   Position.—Alternate between upper portion of petiole and            lower portion of leaf blade.        -   Color.—Generally grey orange (RHS Greyed Orange Group 165            A).        -   Leaf stipules.—        -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—        -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a very rounded tip (ball            shaped). Their form is evolving until blooming, with            variables dimensions. At the pre-floral stage, the size of            flower buds is 7.0 to 9.0 millimeters wide and approximately            13.0 to 16.0 millimeters long. Just before blooming, floral            buds are approximately 13.0 millimeters wide and            approximately 20.0 millimeters long. Generally, a bud is            found alone or in group of two or three buds.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 184 B to RHS Greyed Purple 184 C);            the corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of pale pink            color (RHS Red 56 C or RHS Red Purple 69 B or RHS Red Purple            69 C or RHS Red Purple 62 C or RHS Red Purple 62 D). The            petal color generally evolves until the end of the blooming            period, becoming whiter.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—During March.        -   First bloom.—The first bloom was observed on Mar. 21, 2015.        -   Petal fall.—Mar. 31, 2015.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium season in relative            comparison to other commercial apricot cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Thus, the first            blooming time was from Mar. 21 until Mar. 31, 2015, then            from Mar. 21 until Apr. 2, 2016 and then from Mar. 6 until            Mar. 17, 2017.        -   Duration of bloom.—Medium, approximately between 11 and 13            days.        -   Spurs.—        -   Lenticels.—A few lenticels are present, more particularly            between 2 to 7 per linear centimeter, but their number may            vary with environmental conditions.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Orange grey (RHS Greyed Orange 165 A).        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            of flower.        -   Flower size.—Medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is            approximately 26.0 to 30.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant to very abundant,            between 50 and 55 flowers per linear meter. Flowers are            generally found in bunches.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 1 flower bud or several            flower buds per groups of 2 to 3.        -   Petal size.—        -   Generally.—Medium.        -   Length.—Generally between 13.0 and 16.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally between 14.0 and 18.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5, and sometimes more than 5,            overlapping.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous. Sometimes, petals            are slightly creased.        -   Petal color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is            fully opened, both surfaces of petals are colored with a            white (RHS White Group N 155 B or RHS White Group N 155 C)            to a very light pink (RHS Red Purple 69 D) color.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Petal claw.—        -   Form.—Narrow.        -   Length.—About 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 1.0 millimeter at the base.        -   Color.—Generally the claw is colored like petal color (RHS            White Group N 155 B to RHS White Group N 155 C or RHS Red            Purple 69 D), sometimes slightly darker than the petal color            (RHS Red Purple 73 C or RHS Red Purple 73 D) with a small            pink tip near the petal attach (RHS Red 54 A).        -   Petal margins form.—Smooth and sometimes slightly wavy            especially near the base.        -   Petal base.—Narrow at point of attachment.        -   Petal apex.—Wide-dome shaped or round.        -   Petal peduncle.—        -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 to 4.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Generally light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B or RHS            Yellow Green C) and covered with small overlapping scales            colored purple brown (RHS Greyed Red 178 A or RHS Greyed Red            178 B) to orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 175 A or RHS            Greyed Orange 175 B).        -   Sepals.—        -   Generally.—Star shaped around the corolla base.        -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately between 5.0 and 7.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately between 4.0 and 6.0 millimeters.        -   Sepal count.—Generally 5, sometimes more, until 8 sepals.        -   Form.—Triangular, with a slightly pointed apex, or elliptic.        -   Margins.—Smooth.        -   Color.—The outer surface of the sepals is considered of            purple color (RHS Greyed Purple 184 B or RHS Greyed Purple            184 C or RHS Greyed Purple 185 A or RHS Greyed Purple 185 B            or RHS Greyed Purple 185 C) and light green at their base            (RHS Yellow Green 151 B or RHS Yellow Green 151 C or RHS            Yellow Green 150 C). The inner surface of the sepals is            colored in a lighter purple than the outer surface (RHS            Greyed Purple 181 A or RHS Greyed Purple 181 B).        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Stamens.—        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Between 29 and 39.        -   Size.—Approximately between 11.0 and 16.0 millimeters in            length, generally higher than pistil's length. Generally,            stamens are smaller than petals and sometimes at the same            level.        -   Color.—White (RHS White 155 D or RHS White Group 155 B or            RHS White Group 155 C).        -   Anthers.—        -   Size.—Generally small in length.        -   Shape.—round.        -   Color.—Yellow (RHS Yellow 12 A) to orange yellow (RHS Yellow            Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B), which may evolve            with maturity.        -   Pistil.—        -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 to 14.0 millimeters, or 17.0 to            19.0 millimeters including the ovary. The pistil's length is            smaller than stamen's length.        -   Color.—Considered very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D or            RHS Yellow Green 145 D) to white (RHS White Group 155 C).        -   Pollen.—        -   Pollen production.—Pollen production is considered good. The            variety is self-fertile.        -   Color.—Yellow (RHS Yellow 11 A) to orange yellow color (RHS            Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B).        -   Calyx.—        -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—The inner surface of the calyx, namely the flower            receptacle, is considered yellow orange (RHS Yellow 11 A or            RHS Orange N 25 A) whereas the outer surface is purple (RHS            Greyed Purple 184 B or RHS Greyed Purple 184 C or RHS Greyed            Purple 185 A or RHS Greyed Purple 185 B or RHS Greyed Purple            185 C) becoming slightly lighter near calyx base and light            green near the peduncle (RHS Yellow Green 151 B or RHS            Yellow Green 151 C or RHS Yellow Green 150 C).        -   Ovary.—        -   Pubescence.—Present.        -   Height.—Between 2.0 and 2.5 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Between 2.0 and 2.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).        -   Stigma.—        -   Position compared to anthers.—The stigma is below the            anthers, or at the same level.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter.        -   Color.—Yellow (RHS Yellow 12 A).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—Considered medium. Generally, fruits become mature            during July, more particularly at the beginning of July.        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 3, 2014.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘APRICANDY            variety has a medium date of picking and a grouped maturity.            The maturity is usually grouped within 5 to 7 days and the            harvest is generally performed in two runs. The first            picking was carry on from Jul. 3 to Jul. 9, 2014. The next            picking times were from Jul. 8 to Jul. 12, 2015, and from            Jul. 16 to Jul. 21, 2016 and then from Jun. 27 to Jul. 5,            2017.        -   Size.—        -   Generally.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately and between 50.0 and 54.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately between 48.0 and 50.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately between 45.0 and 48.0 millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally between 60.0 and 75.0 grams. This            characteristic is high dependent especially upon the            prevailing cultural practices, and therefore is not            particularly distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—        -   Generally.—Round and slightly oblong near the apex and at            the fruit base. The fruit is considered to be symmetrical.        -   Suture.—        -   Generally.—Very slightly marked, extending from the base to            the apex.        -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole            fruit color. The suture is colored with purple red color            (RHS Greyed Purple 185 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS            Greyed Purple 187 B).        -   Ventral surface.—        -   Form.—Round.        -   Apex.—Flat.        -   Base.—Straight to slightly retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Shallow. Average depth of the stem cavity is            about 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters. Average width is about 8.0 to            13 millimeters.        -   Stem.—        -   Size.—Generally small and short. Stem length is about 4.0            millimeters. Stem diameter is about 2.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Stem color is generally green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A            or RHS Yellow Green 145 B).        -   Fruit skin.—        -   Thickness.—Considered medium, adherent and resistant.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Present but very light, almost non-existent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—        -   Blush color.—This blush color is purple red (RHS Greyed            Purple 185 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed Purple            187 B). The purple red blush covers between 80 and 85% of            the fruit skin surface for fruits that are exposed to            sunlight. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin            surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the            prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color covers 15 to 20% of the fruit            skin surface, and is considered orange (RHS Orange 26 A).        -   Adherence to flesh.—Adherent.        -   Taste.—Moderately acid and sugared.        -   Flesh.—        -   Ripens.—The maturing of the fruit is uniform.        -   Texture.—Fine and firm. Very melting and juicy at end of            maturity.        -   Fibers.—Generally none observed.        -   Aroma.—Very present, pronounced.        -   Firmness.—Firm. Holds firmness over the time.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and with a high level            of sugars.        -   Flavor.—Considered very good. Semi sweet and with a good            balance between sugar and acidity. Very aromatic.        -   Juice.—Very juicy. The juiciness increases with maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally superior to 16.0 degrees, between 18.0 and            25.0 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the            number of fruits per tree, prevailing cultural practices and            the surrounding climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—Considered medium orange (RHS Orange 23 A or            RHS Yellow Orange 23 C).-   Stone:    -   -   Stone cavity.—        -   Color.—The stone cavity shows the same orange color (RHS            Orange 23 A or RHS Yellow Orange 23 C) as the flesh color.        -   Length.—Similar to the stone's length.        -   Stone type.—Free, but the stone seems to be slightly            attached to the flesh through its base.        -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size            varies depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and            prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 26.0 to 30.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 18.0 to 21.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 10.0 to 12.0 millimeters.        -   Stone form.—Ovoid.        -   Stone form (viewed from stem end).—Ovate flattened.        -   Stone form (lateral view).—Oblong.        -   Stone base shape.—Round to slightly concave.        -   Stone apex shape.—Round, generally not pointed.        -   Symmetry.—symmetric.        -   Stone surface.—        -   Surface texture.—Slightly rough.        -   Ridges at stone surface.—The ridges are present on both            sides of the stone. A ridge is generally narrow. The ridges            begin at the base and are extending all along the stone            length.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered a greyed orange (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B or RHS            Greyed Orange 164 C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.        -   Kernel.—        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 16.0 to 17.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 11.0 to 13.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 6.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a greyed orange (RHS Greyed Orange            164 B or RHS Greyed Orange 164 C or RHS Greyed Orange 165            B). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is            considered white (RHS White 155 D).        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘APRICANDY is considered to be a            apricot tree with a medium season maturity, and which            produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively and            luminously colored with a high proportion of purple red            blush covering the skin surface. Fruits have a balanced            taste between acidity and sugar. They are excellent for            uncooked or cooked consumption, melting and juicy when at            full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities and            are very aromatic. They are also useful for both local            markets and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Good. Fruits are well preserved during at            least 3 weeks after harvest in a cold atmosphere. Fruits are            considered to have a long shelf life after harvesting            without alteration.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered good. The fruits of the new            apricot variety showed very little skin scarring or flesh            bruises in picking, packing and shipping trials.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. Under meticulous observations            during planting, growing and harvesting of fruits, no            particular resistance or sensitivity to plant or fruits            diseases were noticed. Any variety, observed during indexing            of plant characteristics, with abnormal fungus, bacterial            virus or insect sensitivity is destroyed and eliminated from            our breeding program. Although the new variety of apricot            tree possesses the described characteristics when grown            under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne,            Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be            understood that variations of the usual magnitude and            characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,            fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural            management are to be expected.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree as illustratedand described, characterized by its self-fertility and nonesusceptibility to pests and diseases and by fruits of very goodfirmness, of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting,and with an orange flesh, of high eating quality, aromatic and with ahigh level of sugar, and with an attractive luminous purple red skin onan orange background.